Weed Mouse-ear Chickweed
Scientific Name Cerastium vulgatum
Family Pink family (Caryophyllaceae)
Life Cycle Cool season perennial
Reproduction Method Reproduces by seed and occasionally by creeping stems that may root where they touch the soil.
Appearance Mouse-ear chickweed has shallow, fibrous roots. The mat-forming plants can grow up to 20 inches tall and have weak, pubescent, spreading stems.
Leaves Mouse-ear chickweed leaves are opposite, dark green, very pubescent, and less than 1 inch long and up to 1/2 inch wide. They are without petioles and oval to elliptical.
Flowers The small, white, flowers have five white petals that are notched at the tips. Hairy, leafy sepals are borne beneath the flowers which occur April through July.
Occurrence Mouse-ear chickweed grows in cool, moist soils, and shaded sites.
Non Chemical Control Maintain dense, healthy turf using good management. Hand-pull removing entire plants.
Chemical Control
Application Period Apply postemergence broadleaf herbicides during periods of active growth from late spring through early summer and again from early autumn through early winter; apply preemergence products in mid to late summer.
Active Ingredient in Labeled Products

Preemergent

Postemergent

  • isoxaben
  • pendimethalin
  • prodiamine
  • 2,4-D
  • 2,4-DP
  • bentazon
  • chlorsulfuron*
  • clopyralid
  • dicamba
  • MCPA
  • MCPP
  • triclopyr
*not on tall fescue or ryegrass turf
Notes

(Click on Image to Enlarge and Sharpen Photograph)

Mouseear chickweed cotyledon

Mouseear chickweed 4th leaf

Mouseear chickweed in turf

Mouseear chickweed pubescent stem

Mouseear chickweed seedpod

Mouseear chickweed seeds in pod

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